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8/15/2006
Location
Winter Park, FL
US
This is a great place to ask about some therapy.
There are many Doctors, Trainers, Vet riders, and Racers in general on this site. I would like your feedback.
I had an inversion table unfortunately gifted to me by my brother who passed away a few years ago. I started using it a few months ago and I am finding some interesting results.
I am curious about the general consensus of hanging upside down. I find that I'm in pain the next day but it's similar to a next day from raceday.. After that, I have no pain whatsoever for a few days, maybe even weeks....
I remember when I used to race, my back, my body hurt, everything was in pain up until I raced. Afterword I didn't hurt for at least 30 days. Somehow, racing released all the pain. Each and every time that I raced, from the age of 35 to 45, I felt no pain in my back for about 30 days. I could always feel it creeping back and I knew I had to get back on the track. Needless to say, it has been a challenge to find that physical release since then. This is a half solution for the back pain.
Just curious if any of you all tried the inversion table?
There are many Doctors, Trainers, Vet riders, and Racers in general on this site. I would like your feedback.
I had an inversion table unfortunately gifted to me by my brother who passed away a few years ago. I started using it a few months ago and I am finding some interesting results.
I am curious about the general consensus of hanging upside down. I find that I'm in pain the next day but it's similar to a next day from raceday.. After that, I have no pain whatsoever for a few days, maybe even weeks....
I remember when I used to race, my back, my body hurt, everything was in pain up until I raced. Afterword I didn't hurt for at least 30 days. Somehow, racing released all the pain. Each and every time that I raced, from the age of 35 to 45, I felt no pain in my back for about 30 days. I could always feel it creeping back and I knew I had to get back on the track. Needless to say, it has been a challenge to find that physical release since then. This is a half solution for the back pain.
Just curious if any of you all tried the inversion table?
Second, I have a table and use it pretty regularly. It does help. I do get relief. Think of it this way - your whole life is spent putting pressure down on your spine. When you invert, you're stretching it back the other way.
Third, interesting story about riding and feeling better. Years ago I injured my neck when I hooked bars with a guy at Valdosta during a race - causing me to do a massive endo (more than one). I quit riding back about 1992 or so and lived with constant neck pain for years. I started back riding in 2012 and it has largely gone away.
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I encourage you to find ll the gut and back strengthening and stretching exercises you can, and put them into play. Makes all the difference in the world.
Eventually I learned to do deep breathing and relax my legs and body and stop "fighting" it. It often takes 5-8 minutes to get to that point where your muscles give in. You know it works when you hear the "thunk" and you feel the vertebrae separate, for me the lower back goes 1st and if I do it long enough the upper. I find stomach down to be more in control and keeps your back from "binding" against the padded platform. When upside down I like to grab the legs of the unit and pull myself more, adding benefit, and twist from side to side. My dog always likes to lay with me to get rubbed and that helps me relax too. I do find some soreness after, usually if I am unsuccessful in getting it to release. Anti Inflamatories definitely help get results. I only use it when I have pain that persists for a few days, usually in the lower back where your nerves are pinched between vertebrae and can even feel like hip and leg (sciatica) pain.
I originally felt my knees were at risk and used a sling made from the big orange furniture moving arm lifts as seen on TV to wrap around my waist and that is how I learned how to use it successfully. I don't use the strap anymore and have gotten over the knee pain worry. People with more rebuilt knees than mine may care to use the strap, although I wonder if the inversion is actually good therapy for the ligaments?
I have also rigged up a tree sling with some tie downs and neoprene tubing insulation the I have experimented with. It is right side up, and I am hoping to get more upper back relief. I haven't given it enough time to figure it out, although it seems to make sense.
As far as inversion tables go , I bought my first one about 5yrs ago. Not a big name brand and I didn't do much research on them before I bought it. Long story short , the design of that one messed me up worse , and I was in more pain when I got off of it. Tried it on and off for about a month and just decided " this sucks....it isn't helping me at all ".
FFWD too about 4 months ago , I bought a new one. I did some research and got one that had a good rating , but still not a well known brand. If my lower back and hips are bugging me , I can use this thing about twice a day for about 3 - 4 days....and I feel way better! Especially my lower back. If I get to the point that my back is bugging me , it's a combination of using the inversion table and going on long walks ( Walking helps strengthen your lower back ). Those two things really help me re-coup my back.
That inversion table stretches parts of my lower back that I simply could not do without one. It's been a life saver , especially in my line of work.
I don't go 100% inverted as the pressure comes off the back at a lesser tilt. I use it 3-4 times every day and have returned to riding with no ill effects.
Paw Paw
Pit Row
May I suggest some physical therapy and or a good personal trainer that will put emphasis on strengthening your weak muscles, and addressing your tight muscles which contribute to your pain. Combine with a solid workout routine with cardio to help with endorphins (aka pain relief). Yoga and accupunture are good also.
A good personal trainer will give you a thorough fitness assessment and help you combat the cumulative postural distortions of everyday living while taking any guesswork out of it for you.
Damn, that was intense. My right knee started screaming. I had no idea I had an injury on that guy.
I stayed In the shower just now for 15 minutes on the hottest setting I could stand.
Seriously....a million bucks right now.
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